Still some doubts here: If an honest to goodness amateur builds a kit to nearly complete but never gets to fly it, and sells it...can the buyer be considered the builder? What about the "factory assist programs" many kits offer? Does that count as "for hire" ??
There are several kits out there at about 70 to 90% completed, except paint, interiors, paint and powerplant.
And most important: do I need a written statement from the FAA as to the build stage BEFORE I buy a started kit ?